Proper hand washing techniques for kids to wash hands effectively

Kids and Germs- An inseparable Bond

Kids and germs have a very close relation. We all are aware of the fact that kids just love to play all day long and that too mainly outdoors. We often are unable to just drag them inside the house and tell them to stop playing in the dirt, or else they will be ill!

Well, the very term ‘kids’ is too closely related to playing with dirt! The main reason is that they just like it. We cannot impose our thoughts on them just because of the fact that we care too much for them to see them fall ill.
Some parents are just too harsh and reprimand their kids for playing in and with dirt in the open. But if you ask me, I am strongly opposed to such behavior on the part of the parents. It is the age for them to play and enjoy to their heart’s content.
So, you must be wondering …..I will let my kids play all day long in the dirt and do not worry about them at all?? What if they fall ill? What kind of parent am I to allow my kids get affected by germs and see them before my own eyes to fall ill and suffer?

Why Is Hand Washing So Important?

Kids do not always listen to their parents when they tell them to wash their hands just before eating, after using the bathroom, and even when they return home after playing.

But it is always to be remembered that hand washing is undoubtedly the best way to keep your kids from getting sick and even prevent the spread of disease-causing germs.

How Do Germs Spread?

Germs can spread many ways, including:

touching dirty hands of others

through contaminated eatables and water

through air droplets released during a sneeze or a cough

on contaminated surfaces

through direct contact with a sick person and his body fluids

When kids come into contact with germs, they can easily become infected even just by touching their nose, eyes, or mouth. And once they get infected, it is just a matter of time before the entire family comes down with the same illness.

How Do Clean Hands Help Health?

Good hand washing can be viewed as the first line of defense to fight the spread of many illnesses ranging from the mere common cold, to more serious infections which include bronchiolitis, meningitis, flu, and several types of diarrhea.

What is the Best and most effective way to Wash Hands?

Here I will tell you how to scrub the germs away. Always teach this to your kids. Well, a better way is to wash your hands together with them often so they get to learn how important this habit is.

Total time that is needed to wash your hands properly is at least 30 seconds.

I will now explain in the following steps the best and most effective ways to wash your hands. These are as follows:

Step 1 –in this very first step, you should wet your hand with Luke warm water. Be careful, the water should not be too hot for little hands

Then you are to apply enough soap (coin size).

Step 2 –Gently rub your palms together.

Step 3 – Be careful to rub the back of each hand very carefully

Step 4 – Rub both your hands while interlocking your fingers

Step 5 – Make sure to rub even the back of your fingers.

Step 6 –Then go on to rub the fingertips

Step 7 – Do not forget to rub your thumbs and also the ends of your wrists. Here germs like to hang out in excess. Do not forget the wrists also!

Step 8 – Rinse both hands carefully with water.

Now you can finally dry with a clean towel or even you can use a disposable tissue paper.

When Should Kids Wash Their Hands?

To stop the spread of germs in your family, make the regular rule to wash your and your kid’s hand properly. Here are some of the times when germs can easily be contracted by kids.

Just before and after eating

After playing in the playground

After using the toilets

Every time they sneeze or a cough

After touching your family pet

Before and after being near and around an ill person.

Some important tips to keep in mind are as follows:-

1. Hand Sanitizers are a good option to keep your hand’s germ free and clean. But don’t forget that hand sanitizers are not an alternative to soap and water. You can use sanitizers only after hand washing. An excess application of sanitizers can cause the skin of your child’s hand to become extremely dry and chapped on account of their high alcohol content. Proper care is a must for a skin of kids owing to their extremely soft skin.

2. For younger kids, when they wash their hands do try to sing a song that lasts 30 seconds to imbibe in them the habit of washing their hands properly.

You should let them assist you in buying soap or toiletries. You can also sprinkle some glitter on their soft hands and then ask them to clean it. Well, it will make them enjoy the entire process of hand washing.

Reinforce in your kids the habit to wash their hands

The hand wash may seem to be a very small step to take but mind it; this mere hand wash will have a very big impact in ensuring that you stay in perfect health.

Do not ever underestimate the power of hand washing! The small amount of time you spend at the sink can save you trips to the doctor’s office quite often.